Method of controlling an ink-jet recording apparatus according to recording apparatus in which the method is implemented

ABSTRACT

An ink-jet recording apparatus, having a printer that performs recording by Jetting ink from a recording head according to recording data, comprises a plurality of signal lines that supply the recording data to the printer and are connected to a host for controlling the printer, and an information transfer unit for transferring the information to the host. Herein, the plurality of signal lines include at least a first signal line for transferring recording data and commands from the host to the printer, and a second signal line for transferring printer information to the host. Thus, the ink-jet recording apparatus offers excellent cost-efficiency, system reliability and operability.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/992,294,filed Dec. 16, 1992, abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an ink-jet recording apparatus having ahead/ink tank separable/detachable type ink-jet cartridge in which adetachable ink-jet recording head and a detachable ink tank forreserving Ink to be supplied to the ink-jet recording head are united,and is to a method of recovering the ink-jet recording apparatus.

2. Related Background Art

A conventional ink-jet recording apparatus usually comprises asemi-permanently usable head (hereafter, permanent head), and adetachable ink cartridge for supplying ink to the permanent head via anink supply means such as a tube. However, when a permanent head isemployed, it is hard to eliminate an accidental failure caused bynozzles clogged with dust or a time-sequential failure caused by adeteriorated jet element. To solve this problem of poor reliability therecording apparatus itself possesses, a special maintenance servicesystem must have been organized to keep offering optimal recordingperformance. From the viewpoint of improved system reliability, therecording head, which is liable to failures, must be able to be replacedperiodically at given intervals. From the viewpoint of easy replacement,the recording head must be able to be replaced reliably in units of agiven amount of ink. In an effort to meet these requirements, an ink-jetrecording apparatus using a detachable head cartridge (hereafter,detachable head) in which an ink tank and an ink head are united hasbeen put to practical use.

However, when a detachable head is employed, a usable amount of inkcannot be set to be large. This is intended to ensure reliability and isattributable to the size and weight of the detachable head itself. As aresult, a running cost becomes higher than that when a permanent head isemployed. When the ink is used up, even if a head drive function workssatisfactorily, the head must be discarded. This may evoke a latentproblem of environmental contamination which is a worldwide concernthese days. To cope with this problem, an ink-jetrecording apparatus inwhich a head and an ink tank are replaceable independently of each otherhas been proposed. This ink-jetrecording apparatus offers excellentreliability by exploiting the feature of a detachable head, hardlyincreases the operating cost, and assists in conserving globalenvironments.

Typically, in a conventional transferred information processing method,generally, programs-for transmitting commands from a host to a printerare written so that the commands will be sent according to the commandcontrol system of the printer, and the commands are transferredsequentially via a printer driver.

In a recording apparatus using an ink tank/head detachable typeink-jetrecording head which is constructed as described above, a largenumber of parts are required to indicate numerous items that must beindicated appropriately, such as ink tank replacement time and a headreplacement time, and items for selecting an optimal suction recoverysequence depending on whether the ink tank alone or the head alone isreplaced. This is not cost-efficient at all. Moreover, since numerousitems are padded to a narrow display area, each item becomesindiscernible.

On the other hand, in information processing, given commands for aprinter are entered using dedicated keys on the printer. A commandcannot be transferred as an interrupt to the printer using a keyboard ofa host. When this kind of system is used, a large number of dedicatedkeys must be formed on a printer to implement diverse printing controlfunctions or printing modes. This cannot help but increase the size of aprinter that is supposed to be compact. Such an increase in size notpreferred. Furthermore, a command or mode that must be executed oractivated at once cannot be specified as an interrupt due to greatlydiversified modes. Thus, the operability is unsatisfactory.

One of problems of the ink-jet recording apparatus having the aforesaidconstruction, as pointed out by the present inventor, is that a recoveryprocedure different from a normal head recovery procedure must beexecuted when a recording head or an ink tank is replaced. For example,when an ink tank is replaced, bubbles may enter an ink supply pathlocated between the ink tank and a recording head. The bubbles must beremoved prior to recording. Furthermore, recording characteristicsspecified in the process of manufacturing a recording head maydeteriorate as time passes. Therefore, when a recording head isreplaced, special preliminary jet or other run-in (aging) must becarried out to recover the recording characteristics, or thickened inkthat has stuck to jet nozzles during physical distribution must beremoved. A different recovery procedure may be required depending on astate that a recording head is mounted on and secured to a carriagewhich scans together with the recording head, or on a state that arecording head and an ink tank are joined with an ink supply path.

On the other hand, a recording head must be controlled electrically.Therefore, when the recording head is mounted and secured, how to therecording head is electrically coupled with a carriage becomessignificant. Furthermore, how an ink supply path is connected iscritical even when solid ink is employed. When liquid ink is employed,in particular measures must be taken to prevent leakage of ink from thelocation at which the ink supply path is connected. This is becauseleaked ink messes up the interior of a system, spoils recording paper,or stains hands. When it comes to the connection of the ink supply path,In particular, it is very hard in practice to materialize a simpleconstruction that satisfies the demands for reliable connection andwhich is reliable enough to prevent ink leakage and which provides forseparation which is easy enough to allow effortless replacement of anink tank.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention attempts to solve the aforesaid problems. Anobject of the invention is to provide an ink-jet recording apparatus inwhich a display means and a keyboard in a host are fully utilized sothat not only data but also commands can be transferred between the hostand a printer over common signal lines, and improved operability isoffered.

The present invention attempts to achieve the foregoing object, andprovides an Ink tank/head separable/detachable type ink-jet recordingapparatus that adopts a method In which data and commands aretransferred between a host and a printer over common signal lines, andthat includes an information transfer means based on the method fortransferring information of the printer to the host, and a transferredinformation processing means that handles the transferred informationusing the facilities of the host (for example, CRT and a buzzer).

The present invention provides an ink tank/head separable/detachabletype ink-jetrecording apparatus including a storage element capable ofbeing referenced commonly by the control units of a host and a printer,and an information processing means that operates according toinformation existent in the storage element in the host.

In the foregoing construction, a means that, if necessary, transfersitems required for clarifying the state of a head to a host over aninterface cable, and informs a user of the items using a control unitand a display (CRT) in a main body is incorporated. The incorporation ofthe means solves problems relevant to display of items.

Furthermore, common signal lines are used to transfer data or commandsbetween a host to a printer. Therefore, various printer controlfunctions including functions for selecting a printing control functionand printing mode using a keyboard on the host are set in the keys ofthe keyboard. When a key is pressed, a command allocated to the key istransferred as an interrupt, then executed promptly.

As for an invention regarding a procedure of recovering anink-jetrecording apparatus, an ink-jet recording apparatus according tothe present invention comprises a head/ink tank separable/detachabletype ink-jet cartridge in which a detachable ink-jet recording head anda detachable ink tank for reserving ink to be supplied to the ink-jetrecording head are united, and a control means that varies a recoverysequence involving ink jets to be shot from the ink-jet cartridgedepending on whether or not the ink-jet recording head has beenreplaced.

In a method of recovering an ink-jet recording apparatus according tothe present invention, a recovery sequence involving ink jets to be shotfrom a head/ink tank separable/detachable type ink-jet cartridge, inwhich a detachable ink-jet recording head and a detachable ink tank forreserving ink to be supplied to the ink-jet recording head are united,is varied depending on whether or not the ink-jet recording head hasbeen replaced.

The present invention is most advantageous when implemented, especially,in an ink tank/head separable/detachable type ink-jet recordingapparatus in which an ink tank is pressed to attach and fix the ink tankand head to a carriage. In this ink-jet recording apparatus, thedirection of pressing the ink tank, the direction of connecting the inktank with the head, and the direction of connecting the head with thecarriage are substantially the same. This construction permits reliableconnections, and offers improved operability in replacing an ink tank orhead.

In addition, when the direction of connecting the head and carriage withan electrical coupling means is substantially identical to that ofpressing the ink tank, electrical coupling can be accomplished reliablywith a simple construction.

Furthermore, when a connecting means is attached to each of the ink tankand head so that the ink tank and head can be connected with orseparated from each other outside the carriage, improved operability canbe provided.

In the present invention, a recovery sequence involving ink jets from ahead/ink tank separable/detachable type ink-jet cartridge in which adetachable ink-jet recording head and a detachable ink tank forreserving ink to be supplied to the ink-jet recording head are united isvaried depending on whether or not the ink-jet recording head has beenreplaced. Consequently, an optimal recovery sequence can be executedwithout regard to whether or not the ink-jet recording head has beenreplaced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram showing a state in which adetachable recording head and a detachable ink tank of the firstembodiment of the present invention are mounted on a main body:

FIG. 2 is a top view showing a state of connecting the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram for explaining a tank replacementprocedure for the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows an example of an ink-jet recording apparatus to which thepresent invention can apply;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control systems of a hose and aprinter;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the control systems for ahost/printer-integrated construction;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for data transfer using an Immediatecommand;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for data transfer using a Devicecommand;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for data transfer using a controlinstruction;

FIG. 10 is an area map of a storage element;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional diagram showing an example of an ink tankwithout an ink absorbent;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional diagram showing an example of an ink tankwithout an ink absorbent;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional diagram schematically showing a major partof an embodiment of an ink-jet recording apparatus to which a recoverymethod of the present invention can apply;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional diagram schematically showing a major partof another embodiment of an ink-jet recording apparatus to which arecovery method of the present invention can apply;

FIG. 15 is an oblique view schematically showing a major part of anexample of an ink-jet recording apparatus;

FIG. 16 is an oblique view schematically showing an appearance of aninformation processor in which a recording apparatus is incorporated;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a construction of electric circuitsfor an information processor in which a recording apparatus isincorporated;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a recovery sequence of an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a recovery sequence of other embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a recovery sequence of other embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 21 is a block diagram for explaining a mechanism that detects andrecognizes a state after an ink tank or head has been replaced with anew one.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(Embodiment 1)

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram showing a state in which a recordinghead, an ink tank, and a carriage for an ink-jet recording apparatus ofthe present invention are united. The recording head in this embodimentis of the ink-jet type in which recording is done using electrothermaltransducers that generate thermal energy for causing film boiling of inkaccording to electric signals. In FIG. 1, main components of a recordinghead 1 are attached or press-fitted to a head base plate 5 inconsecutive order, wherein an alignment projection and notch formed onthe head base plate 5 are used as position references. On a heater board4, multiple electrothermal transducers (jet heaters) set in array on asilicon substrate, and aluminum electric wires for supplying power tothe electrothermal transducers are integrated using a film integrationtechnology. The heater board 4 is connected to a head printed circuitboard 6 by performing wire bonding, so that the electric wires on theheater board 4 will be associated with the wires on the head printedcircuit board 6 that have pads for receiving electric signals from amain unit at their ends. A ditched top plate 10 is a polysulfone-moldedunit, wherein partitions for separating multiple ink passages inassociation with the jet heaters and a common chamber 9 for routing inkfrom an ink tank 2 through the supply path 8 to the ink passages aremolded to form orifices serving as multiple jet nozzles. The ditched topplate 10 is pressed onto the heater board 4 using a spring that is notshown, press-fitted and fixed to the heater board 4, and sealed using asealing agent. Thus, an ink jet section is formed. The supply path 8joined and sealed with the ditched top plate 10 in this embodiment isrunning through holes bored on the head printed circuit board 6 and headbase plate 5 to appear on the opposite side of the head base plate 5.The supply path 8 is attached and fixed to the head base plate 5 at theexit of the through hole of the head base plate 5. The end of the supplypath 8 that is connected to the ink tank 2 is covered with a filter 11for preventing inflow of dust and unexpected bubbles into the jetsection. A head cover 12 is attached to protect the jet section of therecording head 1 and the pads for electrical coupling and to facilitateeasiness in handling the recording head 1.

The detachable ink tank 2 comprises a tank case 2A having ribs 2a on itsinner surface, an ink absorbent 2b that is moistened with ink and paddedtightly in the tank case 2A, an ink supply hole 2c through which the endof the supply path covered with a filter is inserted to route ink to therecording head 1, and air communication holes 2d through which air istaken into the ink tank to enable an outflow of ink and which thusprevents occurrence of excess negative pressure. The ribs 2a are formedon the inner wall of the tank so that air will not directly communicatewith the supply hole along the inner wall of the tank case but inkexistent all over the ink absorbent will be fully utilized by means ofcapillary force. The air communication holes 2d are bored far away fromthe ink supply hole 2c. The ribs 2a help reinforce the tank case 2A andimprove operability in replacing a tank. An initial quantity ofmoistened ink is smaller than a quantity of ink absorbable in the inkabsorbent 2b. This is intended to achieve such a functional object thatstable jets must be shot by applying negative head pressure to themenisci of the jet nozzles when the ink tank is connected to therecording head 1, and such an operability-oriented object that no inkmust leak out despite a minor impact occurring during replacement of anink tank. At the air communication holes 2d, ink of the ink absorbentmay be vaporized or another vaporizable absorbent may be installed torestrict ink leakage from the air communication holes 2d.

When a quantity of ink moistened in the ink absorbent 2b becomes verysmall, if a large quantity of air is taken out of the ink absorbent viathe filter 11, the ink tank 2 cannot supply ink any more. A largequantity of air is taken out of the ink absorbent via the filter 11,when the ink suction force of the ink absorbent 2b overpowers thecapillary forces of the nozzles occurring with ink Jets that determinethe capability of supplying ink to the recording head 1 or when a largeamount of air taken in through the air communication holes 2d staysaround the filter 11.

The operation of a recording apparatus will be described briefly inconjunction with FIG. 4, thus explaining the position of a recordinghead in the recording apparatus, and the operation of the recordinghead. In FIG. 4, a recording medium S is guided using a platen roller5000 so that the bottom of the recording medium S will come upward.Using a paper presser plate 5002, the recording medium S is pressedagainst the roller 5000 in the moving direction of a carriage.

A carriage HC is held and engaged with a lead screw 5005 that rotateswith its carriage drive pin fitted to a spiral ditch 5004, and thusserves as a drive source, and with a slider 5003 running in parallelwith the lead screw. The carriage HC laterally reciprocates across therecording surface of the recording medium S guided above the platenroller 5000. Interlocked with rotation or reverse of a drive motor, thelead screw 5005 is driven to rotate by drive transmission gears 5011 and5009. 5007 and 5008 denote home position detecting means, which use aphotocoupler to check presence of a lever 5006 in this area and switchthe rotating direction of a motor 5013. An image recording signal issent to a recording head at the time when the carriage moves with therecording head mounted. With the image recording signal, ink drops arejetted at a given position to perform recording. 5016 denotes a memberfor holding a capping member 5022 that caps the front of the recordinghead. 5015 denotes a suction means that sucks the cap. The suction means5015 performs suction recovery on the recording head by sucking therecording head through an opening 5023 of the cap.

5017 denotes a cleaning blade. 5019 denotes a member allowing the bladeto move back and forth. The cleaning blade 5017 and member 5019 are heldby a main body support plate 5018. It is not necessary that the suctionmeans and blade have the shapes shown in FIG. 4. Any known shapes canapply. 5012 denotes a lever for determining the timing of suctionrecovery. The lever 5012 moves with movement of a cam 5020 engaging withthe carriage. The movement of the lever 5012 is controlled by a knowntransmission means such as a clutch that transmits a driving forceprovided by the drive motor. These recovery means are constructed sothat when the carriage comes in a home position area, the recovery meanswill perform desired operations at their specific positions according togiven timing by means of the operation of the lead screw 5005. Therecording head is coupled with the carriage HC mechanically andelectrically as described below. A carriage HC comprises, as shown inFIG. 1, a front plate facing a platen (the front of a head), a flexiblesheet provided with head drive electrodes 16a associated with pads 6a ona printed circuit board of a recording head, an electrical couplingsupport plate 16 for holding a rubber pad that generates elastic forcefor pressing the flexible sheet from the back, head aligners 14 formechanically securing a recording head 1, and a pressurizing hook 13 forpressurizing an ink tank 2 and a recording head 1 in the arrow Adirection. The front plate has two alignment reference surfaces inassociation with the aforesaid alignment projection and notch formed ona head base plate 5 of the recording head 1. The pressurizing hook 13 ofthe carriage 3 is constructed to generate pressure in the pressurizingdirection shown in FIG. 1; that is, in the direction about 10° inclinedwith respect to the moving direction of the carriage 3. With thepressure, the recording head 1 is pressed toward the front plate andtoward the electrical coupling support plate 16. At the same time, thehead aligners 14 are pressed in the moving direction of the carriage 3with the electrical coupling support plate 16 as a supporting point. Thepressurization and engagement by the pressurizing hook 13 may beaccomplished in any manner, but should preferably be controlled using alever that can be manipulated from the top of the carriage 3. In anycase, when the pressurizing hook 13 is engaged, the recording head 1 anddetachable ink tank 2 slightly rotate on the carriage HC and areelectrically coupled when the alignment projection and notch are broughtinto contact with the reference surfaces of the front plate. Therefore,the pads 6a on the head printed circuit board and the head driveelectrodes 16a are reliably aligned with one another.

The connection between the recording head 1 and ink tank 2 is, as shownin FIG. 2, achieved with pressure of a tank band spring. That is to say,a tank band whose one end is fixed to the head base plate 5 of therecording head 1 is aligned with the outer wall of the detachable inktank 2 near the ink supply section, then a ring-type tank band hookattached to the back of the tank band spring located at the other end ofthe tank band is pressed to hook a band projection formed on the headbase plate 5. Thereby, the recording head 1 and ink tank 2 are united.The connection of the detachable ink tank 2 can be achieved outside thecarriage as shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, first, a tank guide 20 of thedetachable ink tank 2 is fitted into a tank guide hole 15 on the headbase plate 5. The position at which the tank guide 20 is fitted into thetank guide hole 15 is set in the vicinity of the site of action of thepressurizing hook 13 of the carriage 3, and the ink supply hole 2c islocated as far as possible from the site of action of the pressurizinghook 13. This makes it possible to minimize the component force ofpressurizing force that occurs at the ink supply hole 2c when thecarriage 3 is mounted. Consequently, the ink supply path can beconnected reliably. The connection between the recording head 1 anddetachable ink tank 2 will now be discussed. As is apparent from FIG. 2,the detachable ink tank 2 rotates clockwise in FIG. 2 with apressurizing force applied by the pressurizing hook 13 serving as a siteof force. At this time, the ink supply hole 2c serves as a site ofaction with the position, at which the tank guide 20 is fitted into thetank guide hole 15, as a supporting point. Consequently, forcediscouraging connection occurs at the ink supply section. At the inksupply hole 2c, an ink absorbent 2b is pressed and joined to a filter 11with the connection force deriving from the tank band. Thus, the inksupply path is connected. An elastic ring seal 19 placed between thehead base plate 5 and the outer wall of the detachable ink tank ispressurized to deform. As a result, the head base plate 5 and the outerwall of the detachable ink tank are brought into close contact with eachother. Thereby, inflow of air to the ink tank through the ink supplyhole 2c is perfectly shutting out. If the shutout is imperfect, everytime ink is supplied to the recording head 1, air is taken into the inktank directly through the ink supply hole without flowing through theInk absorbent 2b. This disables effective use of ink moistened in theink absorbent 2b.

However, in the present invention, the connection force deriving fromthe tank band spring in the ink supply section is larger than the actionforce of the pressurizing hook 13. Therefore, when the ink tank andrecording head are mounted on the carriage 3, ink supply can be achievedreliably.

The pressurizing hook 13 shown in FIG. 1 is used to align the recordinghead 1 with the carriage 3 relative to the longitudinal direction ofpaper. Therefore, the pressurizing direction is set to a directioninclined by 10°. When the pressurizing hook 13 is designed to hook thehead base plate 5, the shape of the head base plate 5 becomes complex.Therefore, when the pressurizing hook 13 is designed in the same manneras the present invention to hook the detachable ink tank 2, a simplerconstruction is realized with high mechanical precision. This is becausethe ink tank 2 is remodeled more easily. When the recording head 1 anddetachable ink tank 2 are connected with each other, force occurs in thedirection perpendicular to the connecting direction. In the presentembodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the force is absorbed by fitting thetank guide 20 into the tank guide hole 15. That is to say, when the tankguide 20 is brought into contact with the inner wall of the tank guidehole 15 on the side of paper, the recording head 1 is aligned and joinedwith the carriage 3 by the head aligners 14 and with the perpendicularforce. In this embodiment, the backlash of the supply path 8 at the inksupply hole 2c of the detachable ink tank 2 is set larger than thebacklash of the tank guide 20 in the tank guide hole 15. This isintended to prevent redundant mechanical force from working on thesupply path 8 that is directly connected to the jet section which mustbe positioned with high precision. Thus, the force occurring in thedirection perpendicular to the connecting direction of the ink tank 2 isabsorbed by the section for connecting the tank guide 20. The sectionfor connecting the tank guide 20, in this embodiment, also plays a roleof preventing rotation of the detachable ink tank 2 on the plane of thehead base plate 5. A backlash on the plane is determined for fear thatany extra force will be applied to the supply path 8.

The ring seal 19 in this embodiment is shaped as a bit larger elasticring so that the junction with the outer wall of the detachable ink tankwill be large enough to permit a backlash of the ink supply hole 2c.

In this embodiment, the ink tank may have such a construction, as shownin FIG. 11 or 12, that the ink absorbent is removed and ink isaccommodated in the entire tank.

An ink container shown in FIG. 11 is formed with a cylindrical housing111 one of whose end surfaces is sealed with a bottom plate 114 and theother surface of whose end surfaces has an opening which is closed witha flexible member made of a soft plastic or other flexible material. Anoutlet 115 for discharging ink is formed on the bottom plate 114. Theoutlet 115 is closed with a ball cock 113 serving as a closing meanswhen the ink container is not in use. The ink container accommodates ink116.

The margins of the flexible member 112 are fixed to the ends of theopening of the housing 111. The flexible member 112 consists of outerwall portions 112a that are bent portions near the margins of theflexible member 112, and that are extending along the inner wall of thehousing 11 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 111, bendingportions 112b that are bending in the opposite direction of the outerwall portions 112a at nearly the center of the housing 111, inner wallportions 112c (2c in FIG. 3) that extend from the bending portions 112balong the outer wall portions 112a to the vicinity of the opening of thehousing 111, and a disk-like bottom portion 112d that is an extension ofthe inner wall portions 112c. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram. The shapeof each of the bending portions 112b is not limited to the one shown inFIG. 11, but may swell up or bend with a relatively large curvaturedepending on the property of the 121, except for the porous body 123,material.

In an ink container 121 shown in FIG. 12, a porous body 123 representedby a sponge is placed on a bottom 121a. The ink container is dividedwith five partitions 122a to 122e into six chambers. The container maybe made of a material which allows a user to recognize the content ofthe container. This permits visual inspection of an amount of remainingink. On a back wall 121b of the container 121, a tubulous aircommunication hole 124 is bored to project in the central region of achamber. When ink is reserved in the thus-constructed chamber in whichthe air communication hole 124 is projecting, the ink will not leak outregardless of the posture of the ink container as far as the amount ofink is less than half of the volume of the chamber.

Next, an information processing method will be described specificallywith reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing control systems for driving themembers of a printer and a host, and a transmitting/receiving system forthe printer and host. As shown in FIG. 5, the control system of theprinter comprises a control unit 510 including a CPU 511 realized, forexample, with a microprocessor, a ROM 513 containing the controlprograms of the CPU 511 and various data, a RAM 510 serving as a workarea of the CPU 511 and storing various data temporarily, and an EEPROM514 for storing various head information even after the power supply isturned off for replacement of a head, an interface 520, a motor driver540 for driving motors, and a driver 530 for driving a recording head.On the other hand, the control system of the host comprises a controlunit 550 including a CPU 551 realized, for example, with amicroprocessor, a ROM 553 containing the control programs of the CPU 551and various data, a RAM 552 serving as a work area of the CPU 551 andstoring various data temporarily, an interface 560, a disk driver 580for driving a recording medium, and a driver 570 for driving a CRT. Thesignaling system for connecting between the printer and the hostcomprises three signal lines; a receiving signal line a for receivingcommands from the host, a transmitting signal line b for transmittinginformation from the printer, and a ground line c.

The signal sent from the host over the receiving signal line a isdivided into two types of signals; Immediate and Device commands. TheImmediate command is a command that is executed as soon as it isreceived, including a reset signal and a return code returned to thehost to indicate an error state (however, a return code signal issued tothe host is transmitted over the transmitting signal line b). On theother hand, the Device command includes an image signal command thattransfers image data. In this embodiment, three high-order bytes of asent command are analyzed. If the three high-order bytes indicate &HFF,the command is recognized as an Immediate command. Then, interruptprocessing is carried out to execute the command immediately.

Next, data transfer using an Immediate command will be described inconjunction with FIG. 7. When requesting a state of a head or a majorcomponent of the present embodiment, or any other information that mustbe displayed, a host H sends a request signal 71a as an Immediatecommand to a printer P over a receiving signal line a shown in FIG. 5.Then, the printer P analyzes the request signal 71a, then transmits aresponse signal 71b as requested information to the transmitting host Hover a transmitting signal line b shown in FIG. 5. Under the control ofthe host H, if necessary the information is displayed on a CRT orreported to a user with a buzzer.

Items whose transfer is requested by the host, and Immediate commandsfor this embodiment are listed below.

    ______________________________________                                        Request item             Immediate command                                    ______________________________________                                        1.    Tank replacement time                                                                            [FF, FF, FF, 01]                                           (amount of remaining ink)                                               2.    Chip replacement time                                                                            [FF, FF, FF, 02]                                     3.    Amount of ink discharged by                                                                      [FF,FF,FF,03]                                              suction                                                                 4.    Font currently selected                                                                          [FF,FF,FF,04]                                        5.    Recording speed mode currently                                                                   [FF,FF,FF,05]                                              selected                                                                6.    Display of "Suction is                                                                           [FF,FF,FF,06]                                              under way."                                                             7.    Display of "Aging" [FF,FF,FF,07]                                        8.    Display of "Suction"                                                                             [FF,FF,FF,08]                                        ______________________________________                                    

The meanings of the request items will be outlined below.

Item 1 means that data representing an amount of remaining ink existentin an EEPROM 514 should be referenced and transferred to a host (herein,the EEPROM 514 contains data representing the number of dots recordedafter replacement of a tank and an amount of ink discharged by suction.The data are updated all the time).

Item 2 means data representing how long a remaining service life of achip is should be transferred. The activity ratio of a new chip afterreplacement is stored in the EEPROM 514.

Item 3 means that a total amount of ink discharged by performing suctionrecovery should be transferred. In this embodiment, an absorbent inwhich discharged ink is stored temporarily is detachable. Therefore, thedata representing an amount of ink discharged indicates a time ofreplacing a tank with a new one.

Item 4 means that the type of font currently selected in the printershould be transferred. Nowadays, an increasing number of printers aresupporting ten or more types of fonts in a standard composition. It isimportant to indicate a selected font clearly.

Item 5 means that the type of print mode currently selected in theprinter should be transferred.

Item 6 means that data representing a state in which suction recovery isunder way in the printer should be transferred. When a suction recoveryprocedure is under way, even if a print command is received, printing isnot carried out. Unless a clear indication appears, this state may bemistaken for a failure. It has a significant meaning to clearly indicatea reason why printing is not carried out.

Item 7 means that data representing a state in which aging is inprogress should be transferred. A chip member used in this embodimentshoots 50000 preliminary jets (aging) for each nozzle to ensure stableinitial jets.

Item 8 means that information representing whether or not a recordinghead is currently in need of suction recovery should be transferred. Forexample, if printing is carried out continuously at a high duty cycle,bubbles may remain in the recording head. This results in unstable Jets.A means currently available executes automatic suction when it becomespossible that unstable jets will be shot. However, a suction recoveryprocedure may be unnecessary for some heads. Using this means, suctionis performed forcibly even on a head that does not require suctionrecovery. This leads to an increase in operating cost. Therefore,whether or not to perform suction is left to a user's discretion. Then,the system merely indicates that a suction recovery procedure should beexecuted sooner or later. This is very significant.

Next, the timing of requesting any of the aforesaid items will bedescribed specifically.

<Timing 1: with power on>

When the power supply of a main body is turned on, the host requests theprinter to transfer data of the aforesaid request items 1 to 8.

<Timing 2: immediately after paper is fed>

When a recording medium is fed, the host requests the printer totransfer data of the aforesaid request items 1, 2, 4, 5, and 8.

<Timing 3: when a chip is replaced>

When a suction recovery procedure is executed, the host requests theprinter to transfer data of the aforesaid request items 3 and 6.

<Timing 4: when a chip is replaced>

When a recording head chip is replaced, the host requests the printer totransfer data of the aforesaid request items 7 and 8.

<Timing 5: when a tank is replaced>

When an ink tank is replaced, the host requests the printer to transferdata of the aforesaid request item 8.

In this embodiment, requested information is transferred according tothe above timing.

Next, how received data is handled by a host will be describedspecifically.

In this embodiment, under the control of a host, the contents ofreceived data are displayed on a CRT of the host for a certain period oftime (about ten seconds) after reception. Since received data isdisplayed for a certain period of time, printer information is reportedto a user reliably according to the aforesaid timing.

Preferably, received data should be displayed on a portion of the CRT ofthe host such that a user will notice it readily but will not find itinconvenient in operating the host. For example, in a personal computerhaving a built-in printer as shown in FIG. 16, a display space isallocated to a place A on a liquid crystal display (hereafter, LCD)screen. Thus, received data can be displayed without intervening inuser's operation. The display space may appear on the LCD only for acertain period of time after received data is accepted, or may beinverted with a background color. Thereby, the display space becomesfurther noticeable to a user.

In this embodiment, the host instructs the printer to transmit requesteddata under given rules. Alternatively even when no command is sent fromthe host, the printer may transmit designated data as interrupt dataunder given rules.

Received data handled by the host may remain displayed. Alternatively,the data may be stored and may not be displayed automatically unless auser enters a command.

The data (request items) and request timing adopted in this embodimentare merely exemplary, to which the present invention is not restricted.

FIG. 8 shows an example of sending a Device command from a host. When aDevice command is entered at a keyboard of a host H, the host H sends adata signal 81a. If a buffer in a printer P is full, the printer Preturns a response (Busy) signal 81b to the host H. In response to theresponse (Busy) signal 81b, the host H re-sends the data signal 81aright away. At that time, if data of the buffer has been stored in aROM, the data signal 81a is put in the buffer. After being analyzed, thedata signal 81 is executed (printed).

In an example of FIG. 9, various printer control functions are set inkeys of a keyboard of a host so that a print control function or a printmode can be selected at the keyboard of the host. When any key ispressed, an associated command is sent as an interrupt and executedimmediately. When various control information of a printer P are enteredat a keyboard, a host H sends a command signal 91a to the printer P overa receiving signal line a according to the keyboard entry I. Then, theprinter P analyzes the signal, then executes the control command. Then,the printer P places the result as a response signal 91b on atransmitting signal line b, and sends it to the transmitting host H.Under the control of the host H, if necessary, the resultant informationis displayed on a CRT or reported to a user with a buzzer.

According to the foregoing control procedures, even when an inktank/head detachable type ink-jet recording head, in which many itemsmust be displayed to indicate a state of the head, is employed, numerousdisplay sections need not be installed in a printer. Therefore, no extracost arises. Furthermore, a CRT of a host can be utilized, if necessary.Therefore, a substantial number of items are displayed.

(Embodiment 2)

Next, another embodiment of a system in which a printer and a host areintegrated will be described.

In this embodiment, a printer and a host are integrated to eliminate aprotocol for information transfer between the printer and host.Furthermore, a common memory means the printer and host can reference isinstalled to substitute for an information communication means employedin the first embodiment.

Control systems for driving members in this embodiment will bedescribed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of control systems for driving the members ofa printer and host. As shown in FIG. 6, the control system of theprinter comprises a control unit 510 including a CPU 511 realized with,for example, a microprocessor, a ROM 513 containing the control programsof the CPU and various data, and a RAM 512 serving as a work area of theCPU 511 and storing various data temporarily, and an interface 520, amotor driver 540 for driving motors, and a driver 530 for driving arecording head 531. On the other hand, the control system of the hostcomprises a control unit 550 including a CPU 551 realized with, forexample, a microprocessor, a ROM 553 containing the control programs ofthe CPU 551 and various data, and a RAM 552 serving as a work area ofthe CPU 551 and storing various data temporarily, an interface 560, adisk driver 580 for driving a recording medium, and a driver 570 fordriving a CRT. The control systems are completed with an EEPROM 514 thatcan be referenced by the control unit of the printer or of the host andthat can store various head information even after the power supply isturned off for replacement of a head.

FIG. 10 shows a memory map of an EEPROM 514. In this embodiment,similarly to the previous embodiment, printer information that a hostmust reference includes the following eight items:

1. Tank replacement time (amount of remaining ink)

2. Chip replacement time

3. Amount of ink discharged by suction

4. Font currently selected

5. Recording speed mode currently selected

6. Display of "Suction is under way"

7. Display of "Aging"

8. Display of "Suction"

In an EEPROM 514, a rewritable storage element, that can be referencedby both a host and a printer and can contain information even after thepower supply is turned off, data memory addresses (1001a to 1008a)dedicated for storing the information of the above eight items areallocated in one-to-one correspondence with the items. The printerupdates the printer information existent at specified addressesaccording to predetermined timing to be described later. Aftercompleting update of information, the printer writes the data indicatingcompletion of update at a message address. Herein, printer informationare written at request command addresses (1001b to 1008b), and stored atthe data memory addresses (101a to 1008a).

On the other hand, the host looks at the data written at the messageaddress at regular intervals. When the host becomes aware thatinformation has been updated, the host references the EEPRONL 514,fetches required printer information, and handles the information(displays the information on a CRT).

The printer updates information according to the timing identical tothat in the previous embodiment.

The components and operation of this embodiment are identical to thoseof the previous embodiment, excluding the construction that a printerand a host are integrated and a memory means both the printer and hostcan reference is installed. The description will, therefore, be omitted.

(Embodiment 3)

Next, an invention regarding a recovery procedure performed when arecording head or an ink tank is replaced will be described in detail.

FIG. 13 schematically shows a cross section of a major portion of anembodiment of an ink-jet recording apparatus to which the recoverymethod of the present invention can apply. In FIG. 13, a recording head,an ink tank, and a carriage are united. Components identical to those ina cross-sectional diagram of Embodiment 1 are assigned the samenumerals.

A recording head of this embodiment includes electrothermal transducersthat generate thermal energy for use in causing film boiling of inkaccording to electric signals. In FIG. 13, main components of arecording head are attached or press-fitted to a head base plate 5 in aconsecutive order, wherein a first projection 14a and a secondprojection 14b that are formed on the head base plate 5 for alignmentare used as position references. On a heater board 4, heaters that arerealized on a heating resistor layer with electrothermal transducers setin array on a silicon substrate, and aluminum electrodes for supplyingpower to the heaters are integrated using a film integration technology.The heater board 4 is joined with a head printed circuit board 6 byperforming wire bonding 7 in such a manner that the wires of the heaterboard 4 will be associated with the wires of the head printed circuitboard 6 that have pads for receiving electric signals from the main bodyat their ends.

A ditched top plate 26 is a polysulfone-molded unit made up ofpartitions for separating multiple ink passages 10a communicating withmultiple jet nozzles 10 in association with the heaters and a sharedchamber 9 for routing ink from an ink tank 2 through a supply path 8 tothe ink passages 10a. The ditched top plate 26 is pressed with a springthat is not shown, press-fitted and fixed to the heater board 4, andsealed up using a sealing agent. Thus, an ink jet section is formed.

The connection of the recording head, ink tank, and carriage shown inFIG. 13 is identical to that in the construction of Embodiment 1 shownin FIG. 1. The description will, therefore, be omitted.

In this embodiment, a pressing shaft member 27a is penetrating throughthe head base plate 5 so that it will be pressed to the ink tank 2 by apressing means that is not shown. When the ink tank 2 is immobilizedusing a pressurizing hook 13, the pressing shaft member 27a is pressedby a convex portion 27 of the ink tank 2 and brought in contact with anelectrode 16a. This makes a circuit that is not shown. Eventually,replacement of the ink tank 2 is detected.

As described using FIG. 13, in this embodiment, a recording head and adetachable ink tank are substantially engaged with each other on acarriage, then the detachable ink tank is pressed unidirectionally.Thereby, when the carriage and recording head are reliably aligned andunited with each other, the recording head and detachable ink tank arereliably united with each other at the same time. At the same time, inthis embodiment, the carriage on a main body of a recording apparatus iselectrically coupled with the recording head. This results in excellentoperability in replacing a recording head or an ink tank. Alternatively,electrical coupling may be accomplished by connecting a connector. Thisimproves reliability in alignment of a recording head and in connectionof a detachable ink tank.

For this embodiment, a monochrome ink-jet recording apparatus having asingle recording head has been described. The present invention canapply to a color ink-jet recording apparatus having multiple recordingheads capable of shooting different ink jets of, for example, fourcolors; black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. The present invention can alsoapply to a single head capable of shooting multiple color ink jets. Inthese applications, a means for restricting the position and directionof connecting a detachable ink tank should be added.

As described previously, in this embodiment, a direction of connectingbetween a carriage and a recording head is substantially the same as adirection of connecting between the recording head and a detachable inktank. Then, the recording head is connected to the carriage and to thedetachable ink tank simultaneously by pressing the detachable ink tank.This results in excellent operability in replacing a recording head or adetachable ink tank. Furthermore, mechanical and electrical coupling ofthese components can be achieved with a simple construction.

FIG. 14 schematically shows a cross section of a major portion ofanother embodiment of an ink-jet recording apparatus to which a recoverymethod of the present invention can apply. In FIG. 14, a recording head,an ink tank, and a carriage are united. In this embodiment, therecording head scans the top of paper while jetting ink downward. When anotch of a head base plate 201 is brought into close contact with areference section 201b, forming a reference surface of a carriage 242 byutilizing the weight of the recording head, the recording head isaligned with the carriage 242 relative to a longitudinal direction ofpaper.

As shown in FIG. 14, when the pressurizing force of a pressuring member1243 formed on the carriage 252 works on the recording head via adetachable ink tank 221, a projecting reference surface 201a of therecording head is pressed to be in contact with the reference section201 forming the reference surface of the carriage. Thus, the recordinghead is aligned in the print scanning direction.

Electrical coupling in this embodiment, similarly to that in theprevious embodiment, is achieved when pads 203b on a head flexible sheet203 are pressed to be in contact with head drive electrodes 203c on thecarriage 242 with the pressurizing force transmitted via the detachableink tank 221. However, in this embodiment, electric wires leading to therecording head are arranged on the flexible sheet of high flexibility,and provided as the pressing pads 203b on the plane of the head baseplate 201 on the opposite side of the jet section of the recording head.Therefore, the reliability of the connection is higher than that in theprevious embodiment in which a recording head is slightly turned andmounted. Furthermore, a reference projection (not shown) for alignmentis installed in the vicinity of the electrode section on the back of thehead base plate 201. This prevents the recording head from being mountedaskew. Moreover, an elastic member that is moderately thick and highlyelastic is placed as an underlying layer of the head drive electrodes203c, so that adequate pressing force will occur between the flexiblesheet 203 and head drive electrodes 203c even at the time of pressingthe reference projection. This realizes more reliable electricalcoupling. Thus, in this embodiment, the pressurizing force working onthe recording head via the detachable ink tank 221 is absorbed by thereference projections formed on the front and back of the head baseplate 201.

A supply path 204 in this embodiment, unlike the one in an embodiment ofFIG. 13, is formed immediately above a chamber 205b, and joined with thedetachable ink tank 221 on the side of the jet section of the head baseplate 201. Since the supply path 204 need not penetrate through the headbase plate 201, the supply path 205 can be designed to be short inlength and large in diameter. This results in a smaller flow resistancethan that in the previous embodiment. Furthermore, a pressure lossoccurring when ink is supplied to the recording head is so small that arecording frequency can be further increased. Pressurizing forceoccurring when the detachable ink tank 221 and recording head are unitedis likely to work on an ink jet section via the supply path 204. In thisembodiment, therefore, the mechanical strength of a supply pathformation member is increased, and the supply path 204 is directly fixedto the head base plate 201. The sealing of the joint between the supplypath 204 and chamber 205b is accomplished by applying a sealing agent.The recording head of this embodiment is constructed by placing a heaterboard 202 and a ditched top plate 206 on the head base plate 201 in thatorder. Therefore, it is preferred that the pressurizing forcetransmitted via the detachable ink tank 221 be regulated to be a properpressure and used to reinforce the force for connecting the heater board202, ditched top plate 206, and head base plate 201.

Next, attachment or detachment of a recording head or a detachable inktank of this embodiment will be described. The recording head anddetachable ink tank 221 of this embodiment can be attached or detachedto or from each other even when they are dismounted from a recordingapparatus. A supplementary means may be installed to facilitateattachment or detachment to or from a carriage.

The recording head and detachable ink tank 221 are mounted using a tankguide 226 and engagement guides 243 of the ink tank. The tank guide 226has a function of substantially restricting rotation of the detachableink tank 221 on the recording head and possesses a backlash so as not tointervene in a connection between the ink supply path 204 and engagementguides 243.

The connection of the ink supply path is achieved by fitting the elasticand deformative engagement guides 243 formed on the detachable ink tank221 into dents formed on a supply path formation member that is held bythe head base plate 201 of the recording head. For this connection, thetips of the engagement guides 243 are rounded. In this embodiment, threeengagement guides (one of which is not shown) are provided, and fittedto an engagement section of the cylindrical supply path formation memberat three points. The number of engagement guides may be more than three.Alternatively, a single cylinder may be employed as an engagement guide.The engagement section of the cylindrical supply path formation membermay not be cylindrical.

The elastic connection force of each engagement guide 243 is not verystrong for easy detachment; that is, is strong to such an extent thatthe recording head and detachable ink tank 221 can be handled in aunited body during replacement. A recording head and a detachable inktank, which are substantially united, are mounted on a carriage in amain body of a recording apparatus as shown in FIG. 14. As describedpreviously, the alignment reference of the recording head is engagedwith the head alignment section of the carriage 242, then the detachableink tank 221 is pressurized in the arrow direction of FIG. 14 using apressurizing means 1243 formed on the carriage. When the detachable inktank 221 is pressurized, the recording head is press-fitted and fixed tothe carriage 242. Thus, the recording head and detachable ink tank areunited completely.

As shown in FIG. 14, the engagement guides 243 of the detachable inktank are inserted beyond the dents on the supply path formation member.Thereby, a filter 204a at the end of the supply path 204 is brought intoclose contact with an ink absorbent 221a in the ink tank, enablingsupply of ink. A ring seal 204b deforms elastically until the outer wallof the detachable ink tank is brought into contact with the top of theend of the supply path 204. This perfectly seals the ink supply sectionto prevent direct communication of the air with the inside of the inktank. Even in this state, the tank guide 226 has a sufficient space inthe direction of connecting the recording head and detachable ink tank,so that unnecessary force will not work on the ink supply section. Fromthis viewpoint, if the detachable ink tank is shaped like a cylinder andthe direction of connecting the detachable ink tank on the recordinghead is designed to be freely changeable (rotatable), a tank guidebecomes unnecessary.

As described above, in this embodiment, the direction of connecting acarriage and a recording head is exactly identical to the direction ofconnecting the recording head and a detachable ink tank. Therefore, whenthe detachable ink tank is pressed, the recording head is connected tothe carriage and to the detachable ink tank simultaneously. This resultsin excellent operability in replacing the recording head and detachableink tank. Furthermore, mechanical and electrical coupling therebetweencan be achieved with a simple construction. Moreover, a recording headand a detachable ink tank can be substantially united even when they arenot mounted on a carriage. This further facilitates handling efficiencyduring replacement.

An example of an ink-jet recording apparatus having an ink-jet recordinghead of the aforesaid embodiment will be described in conjunction withFIG. 15. FIG. 15 is an oblique diagram schematically showing a majorportion of an example of an ink-jet recording apparatus. In FIG. 15, 320denotes a head/ink tank separable/detachable type ink-jet cartridgehead. The ink-jet cartridge head 320 has multiple ink jet nozzles facinga recording surface of recording paper (not shown) carried onto a platen324. 316 denotes a carriage on which the ink-jet recording head 320 ismounted. The carriage 316 is linked to part of a driving belt 318 fortransmitting the driving force of a drive motor 317. The carriage 316can slide along two guide shafts 329A and 329B that are in parallel witheach other. Thereby, the ink-jet recording head 320 can reciprocateacross the whole width of recording paper.

326 denotes a recovery device that recovers the ink-jet recording head320 from an ink jet failure or prevents occurrent of the ink jetfailure. The recovery device 326 is located on the opposite side of ahome position or other given position within a moving range of theink-jet recording head 320. The recovery device 326 caps the jet nozzlesof the ink-jet recording head 320 using the driving force of a motor 322that is transmitted via a transmission mechanism 323. When a cap 326A ofthe recovery device 326 caps the jet nozzles of the ink-jet recordinghead 320, an adequate suction means (not shown) incorporated in therecovery device 326 sucks ink from the jet nozzles, or an adequatepressurizing means (not shown) installed in an ink supply path leadingto the ink-jet recording head distributes ink with pressure. Thereby,recovery is carried out; ink is discharged from the jet nozzlesforcibly, and thickened ink and other foreign matters are removed fromthe insides of the jet nozzles.

330 denotes a blade serving as a wiping member that is arranged on theside of the recovery device 326 and made of silicon rubber. The blade330 is cantilevered by a blade support member 330A and driven by themotor 322 and transmission mechanism 323 similarly to the recoverydevice 326. Thereby, for example, the blade 330 is projected to a movingrange of the ink-jet recording head 320 at an adequate time while theink-jet recording head 320 is operating for recording or after therecovery device 326 completes recovery. Consequently, as the ink-jetrecording head 320 moves, the blade 330 wipes off steam condensed on,ink leaked out of, or dust and other foreign matters accumulated on thesurfaces of the jetnozzles of the ink-jet recording head 320.

The drive of a recording paper transport means, a carriage, and arecovery device in the ink-jet recording apparatus, or the drive of arecording head is controlled according to a command or signal issued bya control means including a CPU in a main body of the recordingapparatus.

The construction and electric circuits of an information processor inwhich the aforesaid recording apparatus is incorporated will bedescribed.

FIG. 16 is an oblique view schematically showing an appearance of aninformation processor 604 in which a recording apparatus isincorporated. In FIG. 16, 601 denotes a printer described previously.602 denotes a keyboard having keys used to enter characters andnumerals, and keys used to issue various commands. 603 denotes a displayunit having a display.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a construction of electric circuitsof an information processor in which a recording apparatus isincorporated.

In FIG. 17, 701 denotes a controller serving as a main control unit. 702denotes a CPU that executes a certain protocol and is realized with, forexample, a microcomputer. 703 denotes a RAM having an area fordeveloping text data or image data and a work area. 704 denotes a ROMcontaining programs based on the protocol, and fixed data including fontdata. 705 denotes a timer that measures time to indicate an executioncycle or the timing of a recording operation to be performed by theprinter 601. 706 denotes an interface for feeding signals from the CPU702 to peripheral equipment.

707 denotes a controller of the printer 601. 708 denotes a head driverfor transmitting recording signals or power to the head cartridge 201.709a and 709b denote motor drivers that output signals and powernecessary for driving a carrier motor 402a and a conveying motor 402brespectively. 710 denotes a carrier sensor for detecting the position ofthe carrier 202 and checking whether or not the carrier 202 stays at,for example, a home position. 711 denotes a paper sensor that detectspresence of a recording medium 6 so that recording will not be validatedwhen no recording medium is inserted or a recording operation has cometo the end of a page.

605 denotes an external storage; such as, an FDD, HDD, or RAM card. 712denotes an external interface that communicates with other informationprocessor or controls peripheral equipment when directly connected to aninternal bus.

A power supply unit for supplying power to the foregoing electriccircuits, which is not shown in the block diagram of FIG. 17, isinstalled. The power supply unit is, for example, a rechargeablebattery, a detachable dry battery, or an AC power converter for use whenthe main body of the information processor is immobilized for use.

Next, a recovery sequence for stabilizing ink jets to be implemented inan ink-jet recording apparatus on which an ink tank separable type headcartridge is mounted will be described.

An ink tank separable type head cartridge to which the present inventioncan apply is disassembled into an ink tank and a head as shown in FIG.13. The head is provided with electrothermal transducers for generatingthermal energy for use in jetting ink. When the ink tank is connected tothe head, ink is supplied from the ink tank.

In this embodiment, when an ink tank separable type head is recovered, arecovery sequence used to stabilize ink jets is varied depending onwhether or not the head has been replaced. FIG. 18 is a flowchartshowing a recovery sequence of this embodiment.

First, at a step S1, a head chip ID is compared with stored data todetect whether or not a head has been replaced. Whether or not a headhas been replaced should be detected, especially, when the power supplyis turned on or printing is started. Whether or not the head (which maybe referred to as a head chip, hereafter) has been replaced isdetermined by comparing the data in a detected portion (which may bereferred to as an ID, hereafter), which is, for example, a nonvolatilememory incorporated in the head chip, with stored data. If no head chipis mounted on a main body of a recording apparatus, a user is informedof the fact and prompted to mount a head chip.

Next, at a step S2, it is checked if an ink tank is mounted. When aconvex portion (numeral 27 in FIG. 13), which stands at any place otherthan a tank guide of the ink tank and hits an aluminum base plate,presses a pressing shaft member (numeral 27a in FIG. 13) that ispenetrating the base plate, the pressing shaft member is brought intocontact with a head drive electrode (numeral 16a in FIG. 13) of acarriage. Thereby, presence of an ink tank is detected.

If no ink tank is mounted, the system is placed in a standby state untilan ink tank is mounted. When an ink tank is mounted, a recoveryprocedure of steps S3 to S6 is executed.

At a step S3, a suction recovery procedure is repeated twice so that thehead chip will be filled with ink without fail. Furthermore, at a stepS4, head temperature control is executed so that so-called aging will beperformed efficiently. During head temperature control, a sub-heaterlocated in the vicinity of a shared chamber is used to heat the headchip up to 65° C. Next, at a step S5, 50000 supplementary jets are shotfor aging. A heater in a newly mounted head chip is sometimescontaminated. Therefore, the aging is performed to stabilize ink jets.

At a step S6, a suction recovery procedure is executed to cool the headchip and provide uniform ink jets. When the temperature of the headbecomes almost equal to an ambient temperature and ink jets get stable,a series of recovery operations terminates. If the temperature of thehead does not approach an ambient temperature soon, a delay time may beset.

Next, a sequence to be performed when it is found at a step S1 that ahead has not been replaced will be described. When a head chip ID iscompared with stored data at a step S1, if it is confirmed that a headchip has not been replaced, control passes to a step S7 before presenceor absence of an ink tank is detected. At the step S7, a "no-ink tanktimer" is reset. Then, at a step S8, it is detected whether or not anink tank is present. The employment of the no-ink tank timer makes itpossible to estimate to what extent dryness and stickiness of thejunction between a head chip and an ink tank or of a chamber in the headchip, or contamination of a heater due to air, which is attributable tothe fact that the system has been left intact with an ink tankunmounted, has made progress.

After it is detected whether or not an ink tank is present, when it isconfirmed that an ink tank is mounted, a value indicated by the no-inktank timer (tank unmounted time) is read at a step S9. Then, a recoverysequence is executed according to the reading.

At a step S10, the value of the no-ink tank timer is checked. If thetimer value is less than 72 hours, a suction mode of a step S11 isactivated. In the suction mode of the step S11, a table of Table 1 isreferenced to set a frequency of suction recovery according to a tankunmounted time during which the system is left intact with an ink tankunmounted.

If it is found at the step S10 that the no-ink tank timer indicates 72hours or more, it is predicted that the heater is contaminated by theair because the system has been left intact for a prolonged period oftime. Steps S12, S13, and S14 are proceeded to execute a recoveryprocedure including aging. Within the recovery procedure, suctionrecovery is repeated twice at the step S12 so that the heat chip will befilled with ink. Then, the aging mode is activated at the step S13.

In the aging mode activated at the step S13, a table of Table 2 isreferenced to set the number of preliminary jets required for properaging according to an unused time during which the system has been leftintact with an ink tank unmounted. The number of preliminary jets foraging is set to a very small value in a bid to extend the service lifeof the head chip, which is, however, not true for aging to be performedat the time of replacement of a head chip.

As described previously, when an ink tank separable type head is to berecovered, a recovery procedure is optimized depending on whether or nota head has been replaced. This permits stable jets.

(Embodiment 4)

As for this embodiment, similarly to Embodiment 3, an example of arecovery sequence to be performed when an ambient temperature is highwill be discussed.

In FIG. 18, if an ink tank is replaced at a high ambient temperature, itis presumed that dryness or stickiness of the junction between a headchip and the ink tank or of a shared chamber in the head chip, orcontamination of a heater due to the air, which is attributable to thefact that the system has been left intact with an ink tank unmounted,has progressed to a great extent. Since an amount of suction becomeshigher than usual at a high temperature, when a recovery procedure mustbe executed at a high temperature, it is preferred that a frequency ofsuction be reduced to avoid waste of ink and that the number ofpreliminary jets for aging be increased.

FIG. 20 shows a recovery sequence to be performed at a high ambienttemperature. If it is found at a step S19 that the reading of a no-inktank timer is less than 24 hours, a table of Table 3 is referenced toactivate a suction mode at a step S20. If the reading of the no-ink tanktimer is 24 or more hours, a recovery procedure of steps S21, S22, andS23 is executed. In aging mode of a step S22, a table of Table 4 isreferenced to set the number of preliminary jets according to thereading of the no-ink tank timer and the ambient temperature.

In the aforesaid construction, a recovery sequence is performedaccording to the state of a system at a high ambient temperature.Thereby, a change in volume of a cylinder of a suction pump is varied toprovide an amount of suction suitable for an ambient temperature. Thisavoids an increase in an amount of suction at a high temperature andeventually reduces waste of ink.

(Embodiment 5)

Next, an embodiment to be performed when an ink tank has been replacedmultiple times to affect durability of a head chip will be described.When an ink tank has been replaced multiple times with the same headchip in use, the durability of the head chip may be affected adversely.In this case, an amount of ink jetted for any purpose other thanprinting is modified to maximize the service life of the head chip.

In this embodiment, an ink tank replacement frequency is written in anonvolatile memory installed in a head in aging mode activated accordingto a recovery sequence shown in FIG. 18 every time an ink tank isreplaced, and the number of preliminary jets for aging is varieddepending on the replacement frequency. The numbers of preliminary jetsfor aging listed in a table of Table 5 are identical to those in a tableof Table 2 as far as the ink tank replacement frequency is less thanthree. Thereafter, as the replacement frequency increases, the number ofpreliminary jets decreases. The ink tank replacement frequency writtenin the nonvolatile memory is reset when a head chip is replaced. Theinitial value is 1, which is incremented.

The number of preliminary Jets for aging is decreased as mentionedabove. This ensures a long service life for a head chip even when an inktank is replaced multiple times.

In this embodiment, an ink tank replacement frequency written in anonvolatile memory may let a user know a head chip replacement time. Forexample, when the ink tank replacement frequency exceeds ten, ERRORappears to prompt a user to replace a head chip. Moreover, a wipingfrequency may be written in the nonvolatile memory to inform a user of ahead chip replacement time. For example, when the wiping number exceeds50000, ERROR appears to prompt a user to replace a head chip. Thisprevents continuation of printing in a state in which a vaporizablematerial layer is peeled off from the jet-nozzle surface of a head dueto excess wiping, and avoids a printing failure due to ink leakage atthe jet-nozzle surface of a head.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Suction mode table                                                            Reading of the no-ink                                                                         Suction recovery                                              tank timer (hour)                                                                             frequency                                                     ______________________________________                                        not less than 0 and                                                                           2                                                             less than 1                                                                   not less than 1 and                                                                           3                                                             less than 24                                                                  not less than 24 and                                                                          4                                                             less than 72                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        Aging mode table                                                                               Number of                                                    Reading of the no-ink                                                                          preliminary jets                                             tank timer (hour)                                                                              for aging                                                    ______________________________________                                        not less than 72 and                                                                           5,000                                                        less than 168                                                                 not less than 168 and                                                                          10,000                                                       less than 336                                                                 not less than 336 and                                                                          20,000                                                       less than 720                                                                 not less than 720                                                                              50,000                                                       ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                        Suction mode table at a high                                                  ambient temperature                                                           Reading of the no-ink                                                                         Suction recovery                                              tank timer (hour)                                                                             frequency                                                     ______________________________________                                        not less than 0 and                                                                           1                                                             less than 12                                                                  not less than 12 and                                                                          2                                                             less than 24                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 4                                                         ______________________________________                                        Aging mode table at a high                                                    ambient temperature                                                                       Ambient temperature (° C.)                                               not less    not less                                            Reading of the no-ink                                                                       than 25 and than 30 and                                                                             not less                                  tank timer (hour)                                                                           less than 30                                                                              less than 35                                                                            than 35                                   ______________________________________                                        not less than 24                                                                            1,000       2,000     3,000                                     and less than 72                                                              not less than 72                                                                            5,000       7,500     10,000                                    and less than 168                                                             not less than 168                                                                           15,000      17,500    20,000                                    and less than 336                                                             not less than 336                                                                           25,000      30,000    35,000                                    and less than 720                                                             not less than 720                                                                           50,000      50,000    50,000                                                (number of preliminary jets)                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 5                                                         ______________________________________                                        Aging mode table for a durable head chip                                                 Frequency of replacing an ink tank (times)                         Reading of the no-ink                                                                      3 or                     5 or                                    tank timer (hour)                                                                          less     4        5      more                                    ______________________________________                                        not less than 72                                                                           5,000    4,000    3,000  2,000                                   and less than 168                                                             not less than 168                                                                          10,000   8,000    6,000  4,000                                   and less than 336                                                             not less than 336                                                                          20,000   17,500   15,000 12,500                                  and less than 720                                                             not less than 720                                                                          50,000   40,000   30,000 20,000                                             (number of preliminary jets)                                       ______________________________________                                    

Now, a method of detecting and identifying a state in which a new inktank and a new head are mounted will be described. Unless a recordinghead causes a recording failure, the recording head and an ink tank willnot be dismounted from a printer normally. From this viewpoint, a methodof recognizing a remounted ink tank or head as a new one is acceptable.However, an ink tank or head may be detached frequently duringoperation. A method of identifying such an ink tank or head will bediscussed.

When a remaining ink detecting means, which may be an electrodeinstalled in an ink tank, or a remaining ink detecting means that checksthe number of ink jets detects that an ink tank replacement time hascome, the ink tank is replaced with a new one. When recording is enabledafter replacement, an operator turns on a Reset key. Thereby, it isrecognized that an ink tank has been replaced with a new one. With theon signal, an ink tank replacement frequency counter is actuated. Afterthe replacement frequency has reached a given value, when it is detectedagain that an ink tank replacement time has come, it is recognized thatnot only the ink tank but also a head should be replaced. Then when theink tank and head are replaced, initialization is carried out. Thismethod is suitable for such an ink supply method that an ink tankcontainer is reused to supply ink.

In other method, an electric resistor that breaks after multiple timesof electrical conduction is installed in an ink tank. A new ink tank isidentified with one time of conduction. After that, the resistor isbroken by conducting electricity multiple times. Thereby, it isrecognized that an ink tank is in use or has been used up. Every time anink tank is replaced with a new one, an ink tank replacement frequencycounter is actuated. After the replacement frequency has reached a givenvalue, when it is re-detected that an ink tank replacement time hascome, it is recognized that not only the ink tank but also a head shouldbe replaced. Then, after the ink tank and head have been replaced,initialization is carried out.

FIG. 21 shows a particularly effective method. FIG. 21 is a blockdiagram showing a method in which a head IJH and an ink tank IJT containtheir own information, and the information are checked properly usingindependent electrical transmission paths. Tank information TM includesdata of a precedence indicating when the tank is to be mounted in thehead IJH. The data is provided as an electric signal, differentarrangements of electrical contacts, or a resistance. The tankinformation TM is preferably contained in a ROM having recoveryconditions. The tank information TM passes through a signal terminal T1of the head IJH and a terminal T3 of a carriage IJC and reaches acontrol means CC. The control means CC references a discriminating tablecontained in a tank discriminating table TT to determine whether the inktank IJT is mounted on the head IJH and when the ink tank is put to use.In case that the control means CC pre-sets ink tank informationconcerning an ink tank to be mounted during replacement of an ink tank,the validity of transmitted ink tank information can be determinedmerely by comparing the transmitted ink tank information with thepre-set information. If the transmitted ink tank information agrees withthe pre-set information, the control means CC adopts the information.

Head information HM contained in an area (which is preferably realizedwith a writable memory in which the number of used ink tanks can bewritten) of the head IJH is transmitted to the control means CC via aterminal T2 of the carriage IJC. Then, the control means CC references adiscriminating table contained in a head discriminating table HT tocheck the information of the head IJH. Based on the ink tank informationand head information, the control means CC selects optimal drivingconditions from a recovery condition table DT. Then, the control meansCC controls, for example, a head driving means HD so that a recoveryprocedure will be executed under the selected optimal recoveryconditions.

A place in which an ink tank or a head is replaced may be a so-calledhome position. Preferably, the replacement place should be restricted toa place off the home position; such as, the vicinity of the center of acarriage scanning range. The underlying reason is that a recoverymechanism including a cap is usually installed at the home position andthat the recovery mechanism may intervene in replacement or stain hands.

The present invention is particularly advantageous when implemented inan ink-jet recording head or ink-jet recording apparatus that usesthermal energy provided by electrothermal transducers or a laser beam tochange the state of ink or shoot ink jets. The implementation of thepresent invention permits high-density picture elements and enableshigh-resolution recording.

A typical construction and principles of operation, which are disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796, can apply to either aso-called on-demand type recording apparatus or continuous typerecording apparatus. The construction and principles are, however, moreadvantageous to the on-demand type recording apparatus. This isattributable to the principles. That is to say, at least one drivingsignal is sent to electrothermal transducers placed in ink passages.Electrothermal transducers to which driving signals are fed generatethermal energy to heat ink. Thereby, the temperature of ink risesquickly to exceed a nucleation boiling point. Thus, film boiling occursin a heating surface of a recording head. Then, an ink bubble is formedwith each driving signal. In the course of formation, development, andcontraction of bubbles, ink is Jetted through jet nozzles to produce atleast one ink droplet. The driving signal is preferably a pulse signal,so that a bubble can be developed and contracted in synchronization witheach pulse. This enables prompt shooting of ink jets. A driving signalis disclosed as a pulse signal in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and4,345,262. U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,124 discusses a temperature rise rate ina heating surface.

A construction of a recording head is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,558,333and 4,459,600. In the patent publications, a heating surface is referredto as a bent portion. A construction of a unit made up of jet nozzles,ink passages, and electrothermal transducers is also described in theabove patent publications. The present invention can apply to aconstruction disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.59-123670. In the application No. 59-123670, a common slit is usedinstead of jet nozzles having electrothermal transducers. The presentinvention can also apply to a construction disclosed in Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 59-138461. In this application, an opening forabsorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is formed on the oppositeside of jet nozzles. Thus, the present invention enables reliable andhighly efficient recording irrespective of a type of recording head.

The present invention can apply to a so-called full-line type recordinghead whose length corresponds to a maximum recording width. Such arecording head comprises, for example, multiple recording heads to coverthe maximum recording width.

Furthermore, the present invention can apply to a serial type recordinghead that is fixed to a main unit, to a chip detachable type recordinghead that is electrically coupled with a main unit and provided with inkwhen mounted on the main unit. The present invention can also apply to acartridge type recording head having an integral ink container.

It is preferred that a recovery means or any other supplementary meansbe incorporated to perform a preliminary operation. With theincorporation, the advantages of the present invention will be furtherexploited. The supplementary means may be a capping means or a cleaningmeans for a recording head, a pressing or sucking means, a preliminaryheating means which may be electrothermal transducers, an additionalheating element, or a combination thereof. Incorporation of a means foreffecting preliminary jets (which are not intended for recording) willresult in stable recording performance.

A single detachable recording head may be employed to shoot ink jets ofa single color. Alternatively, multiple recording heads may be employedto shoot ink jets of different colors or densities. The presentinvention can apply to a system that supports a monochrome mode usingblack, a multi-color mode using ink of different colors and/or afull-color mode using a mixture of colors. In such a system, multiplerecording heads are integrated to form a recording unit.

In the embodiments of the present invention, ink is liquid. Ink may beof such a type that is solidified below a room temperature and liquefiedat the room temperature. The ink is controlled in a temperature rangefrom 30° C. at lowest to 70° C. at highest, so that the viscosity of inkwill remain stable to stabilize ink jets. Other type of ink is liquidand responsive to the recording data of the present invention within theabove temperature range. In this type of ink, a temperature rise due tothermal energy is efficiently prevented because ink changes its statefrom solid to liquid by consuming the thermal energy. Other type of inkis solidified when it is left intact. This property is helpful inpreventing vaporization of ink. Whatever type of ink is employed,thermal energy is generated according to recording data, then ink isliquefied to provide ink jets. Alternatively, ink may be of such a typethat is solidified when it is brought into contact with a recordingmedium. The present invention can also apply to such a type of ink thatis liquefied by application of thermal energy. This type of ink remainsliquid or solid when it stays in through holes or recesses formed on aporous sheet, which has been disclosed in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 54-57847 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.60-71260. The porous sheet is placed to face electrothermal transducers.A film boiling type is the most effective type of ink.

An ink-jet recording apparatus may be used as an output terminal of aninformation processor that is realized with, for example, a computer.When used in combination with, for example, an image reader, the ink-jetrecording apparatus operates as a copying system or a facsimile systemhaving information transmitting/receiving functions.

The present invention has been described with reference to theconstructions disclosed herein. The present invention is not restrictedto any specific construction. It will be apparent that modifications orchanges can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention described in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ink-jet recording apparatus for performingrecording using an exchangeable ink-jet recording head portion having aplurality of discharge ports for discharging ink and an exchangeable inktank for storing ink to be supplied to said ink-jet recording headportion, said ink-jet recording head portion and said ink tank beingexchangeable separately from each other, said apparatuscomprising:suction recovery means for performing suction recovery bysucking the ink from said plurality of discharge ports; preliminarydischarge means for performing preliminary discharge recovery bydischarging the ink multiple times from said plurality of dischargeports; head replacement detecting means for detecting whether or notsaid ink-jet recording head portion has been exchanged; recovery controlmeans for performing plural recovery operations by controlling saidsuction recovery means to perform the suction recovery and saidpreliminary discharge means to perform the preliminary dischargerecovery; and temperature detecting means for measuring an ambienttemperature, wherein different recovery operations are performed when anoutput of said head replacement detecting means indicates that saidink-jet recording head portion has been exchanged and when only said inktank has been exchanged, a frequency of recovery of said suctionrecovery means or of said preliminary discharge means is changedaccording to the temperature detected by said temperature detectingmeans, the frequency of the suction recovery by said suction recoverymeans decreases as the temperature detected by said temperaturedetecting means increases, and said recovery control means controls saidsuction recovery means to perform a predetermined suction recovery todecrease a temperature of the recording head after said preliminarydischarge means performs the preliminary discharge recovery followingthe suction recovery.
 2. An ink-jet recording apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein:said ink-jet recording head portion further includes ashared chamber for temporarily storing the ink to be supplied to saidplurality of discharge ports, and a sub-heater for heating the ink insaid shared chamber; and said sub-heater heats the ink in said sharedchamber during the preliminary discharge recovery by said preliminarydischarge means.
 3. An ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the number of preliminary jets to be shot by said preliminarydischarge means increases as a temperature detected by said temperaturedetecting means increases.
 4. An ink-jet recording apparatus forperforming recording using an exchangeable ink-jet recording headportion having a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink and anexchangeable ink tank for storing ink to be supplied to said ink-jetrecording head portion, said ink-jet recording head portion and said inktank being exchangeable separately from each other, said apparatuscomprising:suction recovery means for performing suction recovery bysucking the ink from said plurality of discharge ports; preliminarydischarge means for performing preliminary discharge recovery bydischarging ink multiple times from said plurality of discharge ports;head replacement detecting means for detecting whether or not saidink-let recording head portion has been exchanged; recovery controlmeans for controlling said suction recovery means to perform the suctionrecovery and said preliminary discharge means to perform the preliminarydischarge recovery when an output of said head replacement detectingmeans indicates that said ink-let recording head portion has beenexchanged; and timer means for measuring a time for which said ink tankhas been unmounted, wherein when said head replacement detecting meansdoes not detect exchange of said ink-jet recording head portion, both ofthe preliminary discharge recovery and the suction recovery are varieddepending on the time indicated by said timer means.
 5. An ink-jetrecording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:when the time measuredby said timer means is shorter than a given time, the suction recoveryby said suction recovery means is executed alone; and the suctionrecovery by said suction recovery means is executed multiple timesaccording to the time measured by said timer means.
 6. An ink-jetrecording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the suction recoveryby said suction recovery means is executed a plurality of times inproportion to the time measured by said timer means.
 7. An ink-jetrecording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:when the time measuredby said timer means is longer than said given time, the suction recoveryby said suction recovery means and the preliminary discharge recovery bysaid preliminary discharge means are executed simultaneously; and anumber of times ink is discharged from said plurality of discharge portsis varied depending on the time measured by said timer means.
 8. Anink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a number oftimes ink is discharged from said plurality of discharge ports increasesin proportion to the time measured by said timer means.
 9. An ink-jetrecording apparatus for performing recording using an ink-jet cartridgein which an ink-jet recording head having a plurality of jet nozzles forjetting ink and a separable and detachable ink tank for storing the inkto be supplied to said ink-jet recording head are provided, saidapparatus comprising:suction recovery means for performing suctionrecovery by sucking the ink from said plurality of jet nozzles;preliminary jet means for achieving preliminary jet recovery by jettingthe ink multiple times from said plurality of jet nozzles; headreplacement detecting means for detecting whether or not said ink-jetrecording head has been replaced; recovery control means for varyingrecovery of said suction recovery means or of said preliminary jet meansdepending on an output of said head replacement detecting means; andmemory means for storing a frequency of replacing said ink tank, whereina number of times ink is jetted from said plurability of jet nozzles ischanged in inverse proportion to the frequency of replacing said inktank without replacing said ink-jet recording head.
 10. An ink-jetrecording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said memory means isreset to an initial value every time said ink-jet recording head isreplaced.
 11. A method of recovering an ink-jet recording apparatus thatuses an ink-jet cartridge in which a head having a plurality of jetnozzles for jetting ink and a separable and detachable ink tank forstoring the ink to be supplied to the head are provided, said methodcomprising:a replacement detecting step of detecting whether or not thehead has been replaced; a first recovery step at which recovery isexecuted when it is detected at said replacement detecting step that thehead has been replaced; a time detecting step at which time for whichthe ink tank has been separated is detected when replacement of the headis not detected at said replacement detecting step; and a secondrecovery step of executing recovery that has been varied depending onthe time detected at said time detecting step.
 12. A method ofrecovering an ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 11, furthercomprising a temperature detecting step of detecting an ambienttemperature of the ink-jet cartridge, said second recovery step beingvaried depending on the temperature detected at said temperaturedetecting step.
 13. A method of recovering an ink-jet recordingapparatus that performs recording an exchangeable ink-jet recording headhaving a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink and anexchangeable ink tank for storing the ink to be supplied to therecording head portion, said recording head portion and said ink tankbeing exchangeable separately from each other, and that includes suctionrecovery means for performing suction recovery by sucking ink from theplurality of discharge ports, and preliminary discharge means forperforming preliminary discharge recovery by discharging the inkmultiple times from the plurality of discharge ports, said methodcomprising:a detecting step of detecting exchange of ink-jet recordingthe head portion; a recovery step at which when the exchange of theink-jet recording head portion is detected at said detecting step, thesuction recovery means executes the suction recovery and the preliminarydischarge means executes the preliminary discharge recovery; and an inktank separated time detecting step at which, when the exchange of theink-jet recording head portion is not detected at said detecting step, atime for which the ink tank has been separated is detected, both of thesuction recovery and the preliminary discharge recovery being varieddepending on the time detected at said ink tank separated time detectingstep.
 14. A method of recovering an ink-jet recording apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein when the time detected at said ink tankseparated time detecting step is shorter than a given time, said thesuction recovery means performs suction recovery at a frequency variedaccording to the detected time.
 15. A method of recovering an ink-jetrecording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein:when the timedetected at said ink tank separated time detecting step is longer than agiven time, the suction recovery means performs the suction recovery andthe preliminary discharge means performs the preliminary dischargerecovery; and a number of times ink is discharged from the plurality ofdischarge ports is varied depending on the detected time.
 16. A methodof recovering an ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 13,wherein the number of times ink is discharged from the plurality ofdischarge ports increases as the detected time increases.
 17. An ink-jetrecording apparatus, recording by using a replaceably mountable ink-jetrecording head having a plurality of discharge ports for discharging inkand an ink container replaceably mounted to said ink-jet recording head,the ink container storing ink to be supplied to said ink-jet recordinghead, the apparatus comprising:suction recovery means for sucking inkfrom said plurality of discharge ports in order to recover a dischargingstate of said ink-jet recording head; preliminary discharge controlmeans for controlling an exhaust of ink by discharging from said ink-jetrecording head during a period different from a recording operation inorder to recover a discharging state of said ink-jet recording head;discriminating means for discriminating a type of ink-jet recording headfrom among plural different types of ink-jet recording heads, based onthe ink-let recording head mounted in said ink-jet recording apparatus;and recovery control means for executing recovery by using said suctionrecovery means and said preliminary discharge control means at apredetermined timing, wherein said recovery control means judges whethersaid ink-jet recording head is replaced or not by discriminating thetype of said ink-jet recording head by said discriminating means, andfurther differentiates an amount of ink to be exhausted by said suctionrecovery means and said preliminary discharge control means between acase that said ink-jet recording head is replaced and a case that saidink-jet recording head is not replaced based on a judged result.
 18. Anink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein saidpredetermined timing includes time when a power supply of the apparatusis turned on and when recording is initiated.
 19. An ink-jet recordingapparatus according to claim 17, wherein said ink-jet recording headfurther includes a shared chamber for temporarily reserving ink to besupplied to said plurality of nozzles, and a sub-heater for heating theink in said shared chamber, and wherein said sub-heater heats the ink insaid shared chamber during recovery of said preliminary dischargecontrol means.
 20. An ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 17,wherein said recovery control means combines and executes recovery bysaid preliminary discharge means and recovery by a plurality of times ofrecovery by said suction recovery means in a case that said recoverycontrol means judges that said ink-jet recording head is replaced. 21.An ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 17, further comprisingink container detecting means for detecting whether said ink containeris mounted or not, wherein said recovery control means controls recoverybased on a result detected by said ink container detecting means in acase that said recovery control means judges that said ink-jet recordinghead is not replaced.
 22. An ink-jet recording apparatus according toclaim 21, further comprising timer means that measures time for whichsaid ink container has been unmounted in accordance with the result ofsaid ink container detecting means, wherein said recovery control meansdifferentiates recovery according to time measured by said timer in acase that said recovery control means judges that said ink-jet recordinghead is not replaced.
 23. An ink-jet recording apparatus according toclaim 22, wherein, when the time measured by said timer means is shorterthan a given time, recovery of said suction recovery means is executedalone, and wherein said recovery of said suction recovery means isexecuted multiple times according to the time measured by said timermeans.
 24. An ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 23, whereinrecovery of said suction recovery means is executed many times inproportion to the time measured by said timer means.
 25. An ink-jetrecording apparatus according to claim 23, wherein, when the timemeasured by said timer means is longer than said given time, recovery ofsaid suction recovery means and recovery of said preliminary jet meansare executed simultaneously, and wherein a number of discharge by saidpreliminary discharge control means is varied depending on the timemeasured by said timer means.
 26. An ink-jet recording apparatusaccording to claim 25, wherein a number of discharges by aid preliminarydischarge control means increases in proportion to the time measured bysaid timer means.
 27. An ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim17, further comprising a temperature detecting means for measuring anambient temperature, wherein a frequency of recovery of said suctionrecovery means or of said preliminary discharge control means is changedaccording to the temperature detected by said temperature detectingmeans.
 28. An ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 27, whereina frequency of recovery of said suction recovery means decreases as thetemperature detected by said temperature detecting means increases. 29.An ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 27, wherein a numberof discharges by said preliminary discharge control means increases asthe temperature detected by said temperature detecting means increases.30. An ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 17, furthercomprising a memory means for storing a frequency of replacing said inkcontainer, wherein a number of discharges by said preliminary dischargecontrol means is changed in inverse proportion to a frequency ofreplacing said ink tank without replacing said ink-jet recording head.31. An ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 30, wherein saidmemory means is reset to an initial value every time said ink-jetrecording head is replaced.
 32. An ink-jet recording apparatus accordingto claim 17, wherein said ink-jet recording head includes anelectrothermal converting element for applying thermal energy to ink andthermal energy generated by said electrothermal converting elementgenerates a bubble in ink to discharge ink from said discharge ports.33. A method of recovery for an ink-jet recording apparatus forrecording by using a replaceable mountable ink-jet recording head havinga plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink and an ink containerreplaceably mounted to said ink-jet recording head, the ink containerstoring ink to be supplied to said ink-jet recording head, in which theapparatus comprises suction recovery means for sucking ink from saidplurality of discharge ports in order to recover a discharging state ofsaid ink-jet recording head, and preliminary discharge control means forcontrolling an exhaust of ink by discharge from said ink-jet recordinghead during a period different from a recording operation in order torecover the discharging state of said ink-jet recording head, the methodcomprising:a discriminating step for discriminating whether said ink-jetrecording head is mounted at a predetermined timing; a judging step forjudging whether said ink-jet recording head is replaced or not based ona result of discrimination of said ink-jet recording head; and arecovery step for executing recovery by differentiating an amount of inkto be exhausted by said suction recovery means and said preliminarydischarge control means based on the result judged at said judging stepbetween whether an ink-jet recording head is replaced and whether anink-jet recording head is not replaced.
 34. A method of recovery controlaccording to claim 33, wherein said recovery step judges a mountingstate of said ink container and executes recovery by an amountcorresponding to said mounting state of said ink container in a casethat said judging step judges that the ink-jet recording head is notreplaced.
 35. A method of recovery control according to claim 34,wherein a mounting state of said ink container is a time said inkcontainer is not mounted.
 36. A method of recovery control according toclaim 33, wherein said predetermined timing includes a moment when apower supply of the apparatus is turned on and a moment when printing isinitiated.
 37. A method of recovery control according to claim 33,further comprising the step of detecting an ambient temperature of saidink-jet recording head, said recovery step differentiating an amount ofink to be exhausted by recovery according to a temperature detected atsaid temperature detecting step.
 38. A method of recovery controlaccording to claim 33, wherein said ink-jet recording head includes anelectrothermal converting element for applying thermal energy to ink andthermal energy generated by said electrothermal converting elementgenerates a bubble in ink to discharge ink from said discharge ports.39. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said discriminatingmeans discriminates on the basis of an ID of said ink-jet recordinghead.
 40. A method according to claim 33, wherein said discriminatingstep is performed on the basis of an ID of said ink-jet recording head.